Originally published in Issue 12 More predictable production levels and harvest dates are driving growers to adopt controlled environment agriculture. Even though most greenhouse vegetable growers are producing fewer types of crops than ornamental plant growers, trying to control the environment of these food crops can be a much bigger challenge. “The environmental control challenges […]
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Originally published in Issue 12 By Eri Hayashi, Japan Plant Factory Association, Industry Expert The Japan Plant Factory Association is a nonprofit organization founded in 2010 by the faculties of Chiba University engaged in the Plant Factory Project funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries(MAFF) of Japan. JPFA targets to support the industry […]
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By Peter van den Bosch Originally published in Issue 12 A new initiative in the Netherlands looks to bring together Dutch companies in an organization that would market their horticultural expertise worldwide. Though a small country, the Netherlands has an important economy and is a key world player in both horticulture and agriculture. Its success […]
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Originally published in Issue 12 As the U.S. market for ornamental and food crops continues to evolve, Westland Orchids and Westland Produce are looking for products that consumers are willing to pay for and are profitable. When Jerry Van Wingerden started growing greenhouse cut flowers at Westland Orchids Inc. in Carpinteria, Calif., in 1971, he […]
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Originally published in Issue 12 Taiwan’s plant factories are looking to meet the increasing demand for out-of-season and specialty greens and to reduce the dependence on imported food crops. Plant factories in Taiwan are operated primarily by private companies. Currently there are less than 100 of these operations in the country, producing primarily salad greens. […]
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Originally published in Issue 11 As the rules of the Food Safety Modernization Act are finalized, greenhouse growers will be required to ensure the edible crops they produce are safe for human consumption. Recent data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 48 million people are sickened each year by foodborne pathogens. […]
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Originally published in Issue 11 Growers who incorporate water-driven injectors into their production systems are usually looking for simplicity and flexibility. Whether fertilizing greenhouse ornamental or vegetable crops, many growers use an injector to take up fertilizer concentrate and mix it with water and apply it to the plants. “From an application standpoint the same […]
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Whether using municipal or well water, monitoring and testing are important to ensure successful production of greenhouse hydroponic lettuce and leafy greens. An increasing number of ornamental plant growers are looking to take advantage of the growing interest in local food sales by expanding their production with seasonal crops of lettuce, leafy greens and herbs. […]
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Originally published in Issue 11, Oct. 2015 Houweling’s Tomatoes’ new 28-acre greenhouse operation in Mona, Utah, is using waste heat and carbon dioxide from a nearby power plant to sustainably produce tomatoes year-round. During the second week of February this year Houweling’s Tomatoes began harvesting tomatoes at its new 28-acre greenhouse facility in Mona, Utah. […]
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Originally published in Issue 10 by Youth Press Team (LanNi Harris, Tina Zhao, Equem Roel, Ainsley B, Erica Morales-Armstrong, Giovanna Mouzouras, Jaelyn Felton, Weronika, Emanuel Granja, Marsela Doko, and Finn Brennan) Photos courtesy of NY Sun Works Youth Press Team Sponsored by HortAmericas On Friday, June 12, 2015, NY Sun Works held the 4th annual […]
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Originally published in Issue 11 What a thrill it was to sit down with venture capitalist and ecologically responsible investor, Will Kain of Rusheen Capital Partners for lunch on a warm Santa Monica afternoon in August. RCP is the brainchild of visionary, Jim McDermott (see his latest venture, Fulcrum BioEnergy). Mr. Kain graciously agreed to […]
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Originally published in Issue 10 Which are the best strawberry varieties for greenhouse production? Combining June-bearing and everbearing varieties can help ensure fruit is available during periods of premium pricing. Trying to decide which strawberry varieties to produce in a controlled environment production system can be a challenge for growers using field-bred varieties. Mark Kroggel, […]
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Originally published in Issue 10 Urban Ag News was started as a tool to provide people interested in controlled environment agriculture with an unbiased information resource. Chris Higgins, founder of Urban Ag News, said the idea for this information resource began with conversations he had with vendors of horticultural and agricultural products. “The idea started […]
Continue ReadingHow does light quality affect plant growth? THE COLOR OR WAVELENGTH OF LIGHT Light quality refers to the spectral distribution of light or the relative number of photons of blue, green, red and far red & other portions of the light spectrum emitted in a light source. Photosynthesis requires light between 400 and 700 NM. […]
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